The Shop of Sanogawa Ichimatsu c. 1743

Ishikawa Toyonobu created this print of “The Shop of Sanogawa Ichimatsu” using woodblock printing techniques. The ‘Ichimatsu’ pattern, seen repeated in the checkerboard design, was popularized by the actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu, becoming a fashionable motif during this time. Interestingly, geometric patterns, like this checkerboard, have appeared across cultures and epochs. Consider the Roman mosaic floors, medieval textiles, or even modern art. They are not merely decorative; they evoke a sense of order and structure, a primal human desire to impose control on the chaos of the world. The emotional response is immediate, creating a harmonious, subconsciously pleasing effect. The enduring appeal of the 'Ichimatsu' pattern highlights the non-linear progression of visual symbols, constantly resurfacing, evolving, and acquiring new meanings in different contexts.